Things to Do in Latvia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Latvia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets transform Riga's Old Town into something genuinely magical from late November through early January - the Dome Square market runs daily with over 100 wooden stalls selling local crafts, smoked fish, and mulled wine (glühwein) for €3-5. The lighting ceremony happens around December 1st and the atmosphere, especially evenings around 5-7pm when everything's lit up, beats most Western European Christmas markets for authenticity and prices.
- Winter pricing drops accommodation costs by 40-60% compared to summer peak. Quality hotels in Riga's Old Town that run €120-180 in July go for €50-80 in December 2026. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best selection - waiting until the week before Christmas will cost you, but early December and post-Christmas dates (December 27-31) offer exceptional value.
- Short daylight hours (around 7 hours, roughly 8:45am to 3:45pm) actually work in your favor - you're not wasting good weather sitting in museums. Latvians structure December around cozy indoor activities anyway, so you're experiencing the country the way locals do: long museum mornings, cafe afternoons, and early dinners. The blue hour around 3pm creates stunning photography light on Art Nouveau buildings.
- Snow cover (likely by mid-December, though not guaranteed) makes Gauja National Park and Sigulda area absolutely spectacular for winter activities. Cross-country skiing, sledding at Sigulda bobsled track (€25-40 for tourist rides), and winter hiking through Gutmanis Cave become available. The Turaida Castle covered in snow, without summer crowds, is worth the 1-hour drive from Riga alone.
Considerations
- Daylight is genuinely limited - sunrise around 8:45am, sunset around 3:45pm means you're working with roughly 7 hours of usable light. If you're someone who gets affected by dark winters, this will be challenging. The perpetual twilight feeling takes adjustment, and seasonal affective disorder is real here. Locals cope with candles everywhere and embracing hygge-style coziness, but it's not for everyone.
- Weather is unpredictable and can turn miserable quickly. December 2026 could bring -15°C (5°F) cold snaps or unseasonably mild 3°C (37°F) rain instead of snow. The humidity (typically 85-90%) makes cold feel colder - that -5°C (23°F) feels like -12°C (10°F) with wind chill off the Baltic. You might get beautiful snow, or you might get gray slush and drizzle for a week straight.
- Many coastal attractions and smaller regional museums run on reduced winter schedules or close entirely. Jurmala beach resort essentially shuts down (though the beach itself is hauntingly beautiful and empty). Ventspils, Liepaja, and other coastal cities have limited restaurant hours. Always verify opening times before making day trips - what's open daily in summer might be weekends-only or closed until March.
Best Activities in December
Riga Old Town Walking Tours and Art Nouveau Architecture
December is actually ideal for exploring Riga's UNESCO-listed Old Town and Art Nouveau district on foot - the cold keeps you moving at a good pace, and the Christmas decorations add serious atmosphere. The Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela look spectacular in winter light, and you'll have them mostly to yourself (summer brings tour bus crowds). Plan for 2-3 hours walking, with strategic cafe breaks every 45-60 minutes to warm up. The Alberta Street area has about 40 buildings to photograph, and the low winter sun angle (when it appears) creates dramatic shadows on the ornate facades. Best timing is 10am-2pm when you've got maximum daylight.
Traditional Latvian Sauna and Spa Experiences
December is peak sauna season in Latvia, and the traditional pirts (Latvian sauna) experience is completely different from Finnish or Russian versions - it involves oak branch whisking, cold plunges, and specific rituals locals take seriously. The contrast between -5°C (23°F) outside and 90°C (194°F) sauna heat is intense and genuinely therapeutic after walking around in the cold all day. Many places offer 2-3 hour experiences including multiple sauna rounds, cold pool dips, and relaxation time. This is what Latvians actually do in December to survive winter, not a tourist gimmick.
Sigulda and Gauja National Park Winter Activities
Sigulda transforms completely in winter - the summer adventure sports town becomes a winter sports hub. The bobsled track at Sigulda offers tourist rides (€25-40 depending on track length) that hit 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph) and are genuinely thrilling. Cross-country skiing through Gauja National Park's forests, winter hiking to Gutmanis Cave (Latvia's largest cave, free access), and exploring Turaida Castle without crowds make this a full-day trip. Snow typically arrives mid-December, though recent years have been variable. The castle area has about 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) of winter walking trails that take 2-3 hours to explore properly.
Latvian National Opera and Concert Hall Performances
December is actually the best month for Latvia's performing arts scene - the opera house runs special Christmas programs, and the ticket prices (€15-45 for good seats) are absurdly cheap compared to Western Europe. The Latvian National Opera building itself is stunning, and performances maintain genuinely high standards. The Great Guild Concert Hall hosts classical music performances almost nightly in December. This is how educated Latvians spend dark winter evenings, and as a visitor you're getting world-class performances at local prices. Dress code is smart casual - locals dress up but it's not formal.
Rundāle Palace Day Trip
Latvia's most impressive baroque palace (often called the Baltic Versailles) is spectacular in December with Christmas decorations throughout the state rooms. The palace is 77 km (48 miles) south of Riga, about 90 minutes by car or organized tour. Winter visitor numbers drop by 70-80% compared to summer, meaning you can photograph the ornate rooms without crowds. The palace has 138 rooms, though only about 40 are open to visitors. Plan for 2-3 hours inside, plus travel time. The formal French gardens are closed in winter, but the palace exterior and surrounding parkland look beautiful with snow cover.
Central Market and Traditional Food Experiences
Riga's Central Market (five massive Zeppelin hangars, UNESCO-listed) is fascinating in December when locals shop for traditional Christmas foods. This is where you'll find smoked fish, local cheeses, rye bread varieties, and seasonal specialties like blood sausage (which sounds terrible but actually tastes good). The market operates year-round regardless of weather, and December brings specific seasonal products you won't see other months. Plan 1-2 hours for exploring, and bring cash as many vendors don't take cards. The fish pavilion alone has 200+ vendors. This is real Latvian food culture, not a tourist market.
December Events & Festivals
Riga Christmas Markets
The main market in Dome Square runs from late November through early January with 100+ wooden stalls selling local crafts, traditional foods, and Christmas decorations. Unlike commercialized Western European markets, this maintains authentic Latvian character with local vendors selling their own products. Mulled wine costs €3-5, traditional gingerbread €2-4, and the smoked fish stands offer generous portions for €5-8. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony (typically first weekend of December) draws big crowds. Evening atmosphere from 5-8pm is best when everything's lit up and locals finish work.
New Year's Eve Celebrations in Old Town
Riga's Old Town hosts major New Year's Eve celebrations with outdoor concerts, fireworks at midnight over the Daugava River, and street parties that run until 2-3am despite the cold. The main stage in Dome Square features Latvian musicians and bands. This is genuinely popular with locals, not just a tourist event. Expect crowds of 20,000-30,000 people in the Old Town area. Public transport runs all night December 31-January 1. Most restaurants require reservations weeks in advance for New Year's Eve dinner.